Kaytron Allen 2026 NFL Draft Profile

Penn State has had a dismal 2025 season, losing three consecutive games in Big Ten play. After entering the year ranked second in the nation, the Nittany Lions are out of the College Football Playoff picture. With Drew Allar out for the season and James Franklin fired, there appears to be little hope for the remainder of 2025. A bright spot for Penn State has been star running back Kaytron Allen. Allen has been one of the most productive running backs in the country, scoring in every game this season. He’s been a standout in Happy Valley for years, but how does he fit within an NFL backfield?

2026 NFL Draft: Kaytron Allen Player Profile

Background

Allen was a four-star recruit and the 15th-ranked running back in the Class of 2022. After playing for high school football powerhouse IMG Academy (Florida), he committed to Penn State. Along with fellow freshman Nicholas Singleton, the Nittany Lions had one of the best running back tandems in college football. Allen wasted no time making his presence known, rushing for 867 yards and 10 touchdowns on 167 carries in 2022. The promise he showed as a freshman was only built upon in 2023. He had 172 carries for 902 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore.

2024 was a step forward for Penn State, reaching the Big Ten championship and making its first College Football Playoff appearance. Allen continued his upward trajectory, having his most productive season to date. He finished with 1,108 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 220 attempts in 16 games. Following three strong seasons in Happy Valley, Allen chose to return for his senior year. Halfway through the regular season, that decision appears to be paying off. In six games, he has 70 carries for 467 yards and seven touchdowns. Allen is having his most efficient season to date, averaging 6.7 yards per carry.

Strengths

The most prominent reason for Allen’s success as a runner is his power. He displays excellent contact balance and can generate plenty of yards after contact. His value in short-yardage situations can’t be overstated, as he can fight for first downs to extend drives. Allen is a player who has a nose for the end zone, with 31 career rushing touchdowns. His vision is impressive, being able to read gaps and find open grass. He is very shifty for a power back, making quick cuts to improvise on runs. Allen is a proven back who’s been incredibly productive throughout his college career.

Weaknesses

While Allen is a capable pass catcher, his usage is mostly limited to check-downs out of the backfield. He isn’t a player who consistently scares defenses with a diverse route tree. His top-end speed isn’t elite, which limits opportunities for breakaway runs. Allen isn’t as explosive as other backs in this class, giving him a ceiling at the next level.

Overview

Allen is an old-school power back that isn’t afraid of contact. His power is as good as any running back in this class, and he complements it with good vision and shiftiness. While he doesn’t have that extra gear to generate explosive runs, there is value in being able to wear down opposing defenses. His limitations as a pass catcher mean he likely won’t be an every-down back. Allen has a high floor due to his proven track record in college and value in the red zone.

Cam Skattebo is proof that bruising running backs still hold plenty of importance in modern NFL offenses. Like Skattebo, Allen is projected as a mid-round selection for the 2026 NFL Draft. His floor should be a fourth-round selection, but there’s a strong chance he plays his way into day two. Teams that are looking to add a physical runner in their running back room should pay attention to Allen.